In 2024, Estonia’s Health Insurance Fund will reimburse 21.2 million euros for medical equipment, with 37 new devices added, including compression products for post-breast surgery. Since 2023, the benefits package is updated twice a year to ensure quicker access to modern, affordable devices.
Starting next year, the Estonian Health Insurance Fund will begin reimbursing 37 new medical devices, with a total allocation of 21.2 million euros. A key addition to the list includes compression products used in post-breast surgery treatment, which will help speed up recovery by reducing tissue swelling and lymphedema.
Women undergoing breast surgery due to tumors, trauma, or congenital conditions will now have access to funded compression products. Minister of Health Riina Sikkut emphasized that this initiative will significantly improve post-surgical recovery outcomes.
Additionally, pessaries for patients with pelvic organ prolapse and/or urinary incontinence will be reimbursed at a 90% discount, leaving patients with only a 10% co-payment.
“Previously, many women could not afford pessaries due to high costs,” explained Ele Tammemäe, Head of Gynecology at East Tallinn Central Hospital.
“This change will significantly improve their quality of life.”
A continuous glucose monitoring system will be added to the list of reimbursable diabetes devices, expanding options for sensor therapy. Minister Sikkut highlighted recent improvements in the availability and variety of medical devices for diabetes care.
Since 2023, the Health Insurance Fund has updated the medical device list twice a year, ensuring quicker access to affordable, effective devices. The changes will impact the budget by 145,000 euros, with compression products and pessaries accounting for the largest share.
According to Kärt Veliste, a medical device expert, the priority for 2024 will be to maintain funding in areas like orthopedics and diabetes care to meet growing patient demand.
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